Jessica Watson - Around the world solo sailor explains how she listened to how boat to understand changes in the ocean and weather conditions

Sep 19, 2017

I am excited to have Jessica Watson on today’s show. Jessica became the youngest person to sail solo nonstop around the world. She was named Young Australian of the year in 2011 and received an OAM (Order of Australia Medal). She is co-founder of the marine startup Deckee and Youth Ambassador for The United Nations World Food Programme. She is currently working on her MBA and her second book, a novel published by Hachette.

While Jessica was on her solo trip sailing around the world, she learned to sail with her ears as she listened to her boat to understand changes in the ocean and with weather conditions. She takes us on an amazing journey of how she sailed with her ears, and how she uses her deeper listening skills to conduct television interviews. She talks about the power of silence and not interrupting while listening. All in an effort to help people and groups listen to each other.

Today’s Topics:

• How Jessica broke the news to her family about sailing solo around the world.
• Jessica kept focus using small goals and different milestones along the way.
• How Jessica sailed by her ears by listening to the sound of the water.
• There is constant noise from the boat and the roar of the waves.
• A noise that you are not used to can signal that something is wrong.
• How amazing it was for Jessica to have such amazing alone time.
• The role of listening when sailing and communicating with boat crews.
• The importance of letting others express their thoughts and feelings.
• How listening is a practice, discipline and a process.
• The power of listening, body language, and silence when interviewing people.

Links and Resources:

Deckee

Order of Australia Medal

UN World Food Programme

Jessica on Twitter @watsonjessica

Quotes:

“My parents always told me that I could do anything I wanted to. I may have taken it further than they intended.” Jessica Watson

“The way I told them (my parents) was probably more important than what I told them.” Jessica Watson

“It’s easy to stay focused and not give up when you don’t have any other choice.” Jessica Watson

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